Ryanair passengers caught in widespread Greek air travel chaos amid severe winds and airport disruption

Severe crosswinds across Greece have triggered widespread air travel chaos, with Ryanair passengers among the hardest hit.

A flight from Brussels South Charleroi to Rhodes was diverted to Athens due to dangerous wind conditions, leaving over 200 passengers stranded without guidance, accommodation, or food vouchers. Travellers described waiting hours on the plane and then in the terminal, with no communication from Ryanair.

Meanwhile, at Rhodes Airport, other Ryanair passengers were left sleeping on the floor after overnight delays, also citing complete silence from the airline and a lack of basic assistance like water. Weather disruptions impacted several airlines, but Ryanair drew sharp criticism for its lack of support.

The turmoil coincides with severe turbulence and operational strain at Heraklion Airport in Crete, where crosswinds exceeding 30 knots forced mass delays and diversions. Pilots struggled to land safely, while the island’s entire travel network—from flights to ferries and hotel check-ins—ground to a crawl. Attractions closed, tours were missed, and local tourism took a hit at the start of the high season.

With infrastructure at Heraklion already stretched, the weather-driven disruption highlighted growing concerns about Greece’s preparedness for increasingly frequent extreme weather events. For stranded passengers, the lack of clear information and support turned planned holidays into ordeals, especially for those relying on airlines like Ryanair, which many said abandoned them in crisis.

@Ryanair Vol Rhodes-Marseille du 16 mai à 21h30 annulé, aucune information ni assistance de la compagnie, pas d’eau potable. Nous sommes bloqués à l’aéroport. Nos bagages nous ont ete rendus. @BFMTV @laprovence @Midilibre @FRANCE24 #Ryanair #volannulé #Rhodes pic.twitter.com/L3rbAof5zc

— Josh Brolin (@JoshBro07240100) May 16, 2025